Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’, selected for its flavor, shelf life, fruit size, and mid-early harvest time, is disclosed.

Latin name: Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ originated from a cross between the proprietary female parent ‘7R309’ (unpatented) and the proprietary male parent ‘92T351’ (unpatented). Progeny plants from this cross of ‘7R309’ x ‘92T351’, including ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’, were asexually propagated via stolons in McArthur, Calif., USA in April of 2013. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ was later specifically identified and selected in Tapalpa, Mexico in November of 2015.

‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and underwent further testing at test plots in Tangancicuaro, Tapalpa, and Purepero, Mexico for four years (2015 to 2019). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons.

‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ exhibits the following distinguishing characteristics when grown under normal horticultural practices in Tangancicuaro, Tapalpa, and Purepero, Mexico:

-   -   1. Inflorescence beneath foliage;     -   2. Absent or very weak anthocyanin coloration of stolon;     -   3. Obtuse shape of base of terminal leaflet; and     -   4. Fully remontant type of bearing.

‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ was selected for its flavor, shelf life, fruit size, and mid-early harvest time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which show fruit of the plant, flowers, leaves, and the plants. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of plants that are seven months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’.

FIG. 3 shows the upper and lower surfaces of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’.

FIG. 4A shows the lower surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’. FIG. 4B shows the upper surface of a leaf of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’.

FIG. 5 shows a plant of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’.

FIG. 6 shows plants of variety ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Tangancicuaro, Tapalpa, and Purepero, Mexico from 2015 to 2019. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ was taken from plants that were seven months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—The proprietary variety ‘7R309’ (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—The proprietary variety ‘92T351’ (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—17.3 cm.         -   Diameter.—29.3 cm.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—2.4.         -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright. -   Stolon:     -   -   Average number of daughter plants per square foot.—7.         -   Diameter at bract.—2.7 mm.         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Absent or very weak.         -   Length.—35.2 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellow-green). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of leaflet upper surface.—RHS 131A (Dark bluish             green).         -   Color of leaflet lower surface.—RHS 137C (Moderate             yellow-green).         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 7.6 cm. Width: 7.1 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.1. Number of teeth/terminal             leaflet: 21. Shape of base: Obtuse. Margin: Crenate. Shape             in cross section: Convex.         -   Petiole.—Length: 12.6 cm. Diameter: 3.31 mm. Attitude of             hairs: Slightly outwards. Bract frequency (number present on             each petiole): 2. Color: RHS 145A (Strong yellow-green).         -   Petiolule.—Length: 7.40 mm. Diameter: 1.68 mm. Color: RHS             146D (Moderate yellow-green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 3.55 cm. Width: 6.70 mm. Anthocyanin             coloration: Weak. Anthocyanin color: RHS 35B (Moderate             reddish orange). Color: RHS NN155A (Yellowish white). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position in relation to foliage.—Beneath.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Slightly outwards. Length:             112 mm. Diameter: 3 mm. Color: RHS 143C (Strong             yellow-green).         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 23.5 mm. Arrangement of petals:             Touching. Stamen: Present. Typical and observed number of             flowers per plant: 10.20.         -   Petal.—Length: 14.30 mm. Width: 14.50 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.0. Typical and observed petal number: 5.4. Color of             upper side: RHS 155D (Yellowish white). Color of lower side:             RHS 155B (Yellowish white). Base shape: Round. Apex shape:             Round. Margin: Entire.         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 62.20 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length (sepal tip to point of attachment to             receptacle): 25.70 mm. Width: 15.10 mm. Typical and observed             sepal number: 11. Color of upper side: RHS NN137A (Greyish             olive green). Color of lower side: RHS 138B (Moderate             yellow-green). -   Fruit:     -   -   Length.—51.70 mm.         -   Width.—33.14 mm.         -   Length/width ratio.—1.6.         -   Fruit hollow length.—13.90 mm.         -   Fruit hollow width.—6.0 mm.         -   Fruit hollow length/width ratio.—2.3.         -   Shape.—Conical.         -   Color.—RHS N34A (Moderate red).         -   Weight.—26.5 grams.         -   Position of achenes.—Level with surface.         -   Number of achenes per fruit.—246.         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Level with fruit.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Outwards.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 42B (Strong reddish             orange).         -   Color of core.—RHS 42D (Moderate reddish orange). -   Production:     -   -   Flowering interval.—October to April.         -   Harvest interval.—October to April.         -   Type of bearing.—Fully remontant.         -   Productivity.—27,228 kg to 41,411 kg of fruit per hectare             per season from seven-month-old plants when grown in             Tapalpa, Mexico. -   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases:     -   -   Two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Botrytis fruit rot (Botrytis cinerea).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             resistant.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ differs from the proprietary female parent ‘7R309’ (unpatented) in that fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ are more elongated in shape, smaller in size, much firmer in firmness, and have a better shelf life than fruit of ‘7R309’. In addition, ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ has a more open plant habit when compared with ‘7R309’.

‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ differs from the proprietary male parent ‘92T351’ (unpatented) in that fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ have a darker color and a smaller size than fruit of ‘92T351’. In addition, ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ is less vigorous and slower to produce at the beginning of the season when compared with ‘92T351’.

‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Driscoll El Dorado’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,238) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ has inflorescence beneath foliage, a semi-upright plant growth habit, an obtuse shape of base of terminal leaflet, and a fully remontant type of bearing, whereas ‘Driscoll El Dorado’ has inflorescence above foliage, an upright plant growth habit, a rounded shape of base of terminal leaflet, and a partially remontant type of bearing. Additionally, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ have better and sweeter flavor, better shelf life, and bigger size than fruit of ‘Driscoll El Dorado’. Moreover, plants of ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ are slightly lower yielding and are more compact than plants of ‘Driscoll El Dorado’.

‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ differs from the commercial variety ‘Driscoll Osceola’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,752) in that ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ has inflorescence beneath foliage, absent or very weak anthocyanin coloration of stolon, an obtuse shape of base of terminal leaflet, and a fully remontant type of bearing, whereas ‘Driscoll Osceola’ has inflorescence level with foliage, medium anthocyanin coloration of stolon, a rounded shape of base of terminal leaflet, and a partially remontant type of bearing. Additionally, fruit of ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ have better and sweeter flavor, better shelf life, and bigger size than fruit of ‘Driscoll Osceola’. Moreover, ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ is higher yielding than ‘Driscoll Osceola’. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawSeventyNine’ as shown and described herein. 